The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-03-19
rEAcHERs LOCAL INSTITUTE.
Over One Hundred Teachers Present from this
and Adjoining CouIties

Over One Hundred Teachers Present from this
and Adjoining COQEtieS
On Friday evening, March nth, an apprecla-
tive audience listened TO Prof y, l.. Kemp, of the
Keystone State Normal School, deliver his lee
ture upon Books and Their Mission" The Ice
tlre was replcte. with good thoughts, apt com
IarisOns, and Instructive Illustrations The rcci-
tatlons by the pupils OF the schools were excel
lent, and the vocal music, rendered by the yari-
Gus persons, was well received Though the
evening was u very stormy one, those who at
tended could say that "lt was well that they had
been there"
Saturday morning the trains brought crowds Of
teachers from all parts of the county aud also
many from neighboring counties TO attend the
Institute. When Co. Supt Snyder called the
meeting to order in the High School Room, more
than one hundred teachers had assembled. Or
ganization was affected by the election pf Prof
T. A. Snyder president J. NJ Roberts, vice
president and l.. NJ. Beldler, Packertpp; q. w.
Hemminger, Lehighton, and Lincoln Davis.
Lansford, as secretaries. The exercises were
opened with prayer by the Rev. VIM Major, pas
tor OF the NJ. +. church. The class-drill in "Ian-
guage," by twelve pupils under Miss Hattie
Rooms direction, WAS one Of the best ever given
and the lady was highly complmented by some
OF the Oldest teachers in the county. A paper on
"Moral Training" by w, H. Spencer, principal
OF the Upper Mauch ChuHk schools, The gentle
man said that tbs requisites Of success oil the
part OF the teacher in moral training are
patience, q genuine love for the children, and
above all living presence Of y pure life. Many
a teacher while seeking TO perform right ac-
tion appeals to the wrong motive, and thus de-
stroys by the very means wEIct he is striving to
create. Prof. Stettlpr, principal Of the Stating
ton schools, gave an exceedingly instructive class
drill Oh English Words" lie organized u class
from among the teachers, and thereby made
clear by practical application, his method of
teaching the deflltion analysis, pronunciation,
use and spelling OF words, The success OF the
gentleman In bringing out the class, indicated
the experienced and cultured teacher. Prof.
Stetter will always be welcome visitor with the
teachers OF our county,
Prof. Heydt,prlncipal Of the East Mauch Chunk
schools gave thoughtful and interesting talk
on "Spelling Reform" The gentleman was full
of his subject, and felt that he could talk an hour
or two, but time did not permit. lie said, that
we live in an age Of progress and reform; about
onehfth Of the people of this Republic over ten
years old are illiterate, One of the chief causes
Of this ignorance is the intrinsic irregularity of
the English language. An ideal language should
nave single sign for each elementary sound,
and only one. 1t would be impossible to adopt
so radical change at once, therefore, there
should be a transition period.
The afternoon session opened by singing "Bu-
land Land Prof. Kemp spoke for half an hour
on the Recitation" He gave as one of the
necessary concomitants the securing of attention.
We should cultivate the attention of the child by
bright objects; objects of interest, novelty; lead
it to the understanding OF the object or subjecti
leading il to II mastery of the subject and to pre-
sent topics in Il mastery way.
Miss Ella leager, of Weathcrly, then read a
paper on the Qualifications of a Teacher" The
lady gave some excellent thoughts upon her sub
ject such as the power to the latest forces Of
the mind; 10 comprehend the influences that sur
round tia child and discover its needs; to have
good health, a pleasant countenance, pleasant
voice and n wcll-cultured mind, and last, but not
least, love for the children for justice and NOR.
Atty.
G. W. Hemminger followed with an essay on
"School Punlshments." The gentleman read in
clear, ringing voice, and commanded the at
tention of the audience from first to last. In the
course of his subject he stated that school pun
ishments have three objects in view: relorma-
tion of the offender, warning to these who are in
danger of becoming Offenders, and the manefes-
tation of discipline upon the part OF the teacher.
The teacher can not be too careful in the admin
istration Of discipline; the rule governing him
should be the rule of common sense.
J. j. Beyan, principal Of the Mauch Chunk
schools, discussed the subject Of "Arithmetic."
IN order to secure skill and accuracy there must
be thorough mastery of the arithmetical pro-
cess; special attention paid to difficult problems;
short lessons with the connection preserved:
arouslng and awakening interest; regular and
systematicrcviews, and cultivation of self-reli-
ance. Prof. Stettler again addressed the Instl
tute upon .'School Supervision" and presented
the qualifications of the man who may take in
charge The supervision OF the schools. Time did
not admij of an extensive discussion OF the sub
ject, and therefore, an outline was written upon
the blackboard indicating the leading points.
Prof. T. w. Bevan, principal of the CatasauQua
schools, gave an interesting talk OIL Advanced
Reading" He said that this branch OF our COM
mon schools was not receiving its proper share OF
attention, and made several practical suggo stions
upon the method of securing better results in
this study. Mr. Bevan' was formerly teacher
incur county, but for many years he has been
sauqua. BY request Prof. W. F. Porter, princi-
pal of the White Haven Schools favored the In
stitute with "a German song entitled, down
Deepi jim the Cellar" & - - b
Am6ng the visitors, could be seen the vener-
able Rev. DIR. Horn, of Allentown, whose locks
have grown white in the work OF education. He
spoke II few words of good cheer, and amused
old and young by giving questions to those who
thought they could answer them. The exercises
were intcrspersed with selections OF music, and
Miss Anzie MONTE presided at the organ.
The following resolutions were unanimously
adopted by the institute:
ReSOlpsd, That we extend our thanks to Mrs j.
NJ. Roberts and Miss AnZie MOntZ for their SER
vices OrgGn.s,s; TO the pupils of the Iehightun
schools who took part In the recltatiOns, and 10
all the vocalistS for their services at the even
Ing lecture.
.. That we extend our thanks to Prof Kemp,
OF kutZtOwn; to Prof Revan, of Catasauqua: t.
Prof Stettler, and TO Rev. DIR. Horn, of Allen
town, for their Instructive and entertaining ad-
dresses, also to Prof. W. T. Porter for singing.
3. That our thanks are due to Superintendent I.
4. Snyder whose able and energetic services
have contributed so much TO the success of these
institutes.
A. That we endorse the holding Of local instj-
tues in the different districts of the county, feel
ing that they give us material aid and encourage
ment In the actual work OF the school-room
The Co. Supt thanked the teachers for their
attendance and their interest in the duties of
their calling. On motion the institute adjourned,
every teacher having the opinion that this was the
most successful institute ever held in the county
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Acknowledgement.
The following subscriptions for the CARBON
ADVOCATE have been received since our last
report